ACROSS THE NATION

High court rejects translator's suit against FBI

November 29, 2005|By Items compiled from Tribune news services.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court refused Monday to hear an appeal by a former FBI translator of Middle Eastern languages who asserted that she was fired for trying to expose ineptitude and espionage in the bureau's translation section.

Two lower federal courts dismissed Sibel Edmonds' lawsuit for retaliatory termination, accepting the federal government's argument that the case could not proceed without revealing state secrets. Under the state secrets privilege, recognized by the Supreme Court 50 years ago, a lawsuit must be dismissed when there is no alternative to protect national security.

Edmonds, who was hired shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, had complained that important terrorism-related intelligence was being inadequately translated and raised allegations of espionage against a fellow linguist.